52 SEO Tips for Beginners – Part 3

Yesterday, we covered Part 2 of the 10-part Series: 52 Tips for SEO Beginners – Part 2

Today, we tackle Tips 11 – 15: SEO Tips for Beginners:

Tip 11: Conduct an SEO Audit

Conducting an SEO audit means you perform a meticulous examination of your website’s health and performance serves as a diagnostic tool to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

Just as you’d take your car for regular check-ups, your website deserves the same attention. An SEO audit unveils hidden issues, ensuring your site is in optimal condition for search engines and users alike. It’s a proactive step that prevents potential problems from snowballing.

Begin by evaluating your website’s technical aspects, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and URL structure. Scrutinize your content—does it align with your target keywords and provide value?

Audit your backlink profile to identify low-quality or irrelevant links that could harm your site’s ranking. Use tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to gather data and insights about your site’s performance. 

Based on your findings, create an action plan to address any issues, prioritize optimizations, and enhance your overall SEO strategy. Think of an SEO audit as a diagnostic tool that fine-tunes your website’s engine, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently on the digital highway.


Tip 12: Create an XML Sitemap

One often-overlooked SEO gem is the creation of an XML sitemap. This powerful tool serves as a roadmap for search engines, guiding them to explore and index your website’s content with precision.

Think of an XML sitemap as a tour guide for search engines through the labyrinth of your website. By providing a clear and structured map, you ensure that search engines don’t miss any valuable content. This ultimately boosts your site’s visibility in search results.

Begin by generating an XML sitemap using online tools or plugins designed for your content management system (CMS). Include all essential pages, posts, and media files that you want search engines to index.

Submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console and other search engine webmaster tools. Regularly update your sitemap whenever you add new content or make significant changes to your site’s structure. Remember, an XML sitemap doesn’t just benefit search engines—it benefits your users too, by ensuring easy navigation and access to all your valuable content.


Tip 13: Develop Resource Roundup Posts

One tactic that fosters collaboration and provides immense value is developing resource roundup posts. These curated compilations of valuable resources within your niche not only showcase your expertise, but also create a network of connections.

Resource roundup posts exhibit your commitment to sharing valuable information with your audience. By featuring experts, tools, articles, and insights from various sources, you create a one-stop hub for your readers. Additionally, collaborating with others enhances your online presence and strengthens relationships.

Start by choosing a specific theme or topic for your resource roundup post. Identify high-quality, relevant resources, whether they’re articles, videos, tools, or infographics. Reach out to the creators of these resources, letting them know you’re including their content in your roundup.

Assemble the resources in a well-organized and easy-to-navigate format, providing brief explanations for each one. Consider reaching out to contributors and influencers to share the finished roundup, encouraging them to spread the word.

 

Tip 14: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

One SEO technique targets precision—focusing on long-tail keywords. These longer and more specific keyword phrases may have lower search volume but offer higher intent, connecting you with users who are seeking exactly what you offer.

Long-tail keywords provide a direct line to users who know what they want. While they may not attract the sheer volume of broad keywords, they attract users who are closer to making a decision, whether it’s purchasing a product or seeking detailed information.

Begin by researching long-tail keywords related to your niche or industry. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic can help you uncover these gems.

Craft content that addresses these specific queries in a detailed and comprehensive manner. Create blog posts, how-to guides, or product reviews tailored to long-tail keywords. Integrate these keywords naturally into your content without sacrificing readability.

Tip 15: Optimize for the Broad Core Update

The Broad Core Update is a major update that affects all websites, regardless of their industry or niche. The goal of this update is to improve the quality of search results and make it easier for users to find the information they are looking for.

While they say it’s not about punishing sites, but instead rewarding sites that were not ranking as deserved, you don’t want to get buried in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

Make sure your content is as good as it can be – thorough and polished, with lots of relevancy and navigation optimization. These results will be less keyword-related and more topic-related, giving users a full result of what they were looking for.

Want more SEO Tips for Beginners?
Check out:
52 Tips for SEO Beginners – Part 1

 

Melody Wigdahl

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